If you're looking for someone to bring out the genius in your child, look in the mirror.

That's the advice from Dr. Floretta (Dr. Flo) Thornton-Reid, an American education expert who will be lecturing in Bermuda this week.

Dr. Thornto-Reid will be offering a workshop at the Hamilton Princess on Saturday entitled 'You Have A Genius – Simple Steps to Growing a Child Prodigy'.

The workshop is organised by the Bermuda Educational Parents Association (BEPA).

"At the workshop I will be talking about the opportunities that your time can provide for your child," Dr. Thornton-Reid told The Royal Gazette in a telephone interview.

"You have a wonderful island. You have beautiful beaches. Take the time to explore the beach and have a conversation with your child. Tactile exploration can be done very early. They can play with the water. You can talk about the tides."

Dr. Thornton-Reid, who is a professor at Georgia State University, is in the process of publishing a book called 'My grandbaby is a genius, simple steps to growing a child prodigy' which she hopes will be on the shelves in December.

The book was inspired by her two-year-old granddaughter, Anastasia.

"Having a grandchild has reopened my eyes," she said. "My son is 36 years old. It opened my eyes to the whole facet of what happens when you are interacting with your children and grandchildren."

She said grandparents are often the people who have time to "gift" on the child.

"Time is what we have to give back to children as a whole," she said. "We can use the gift of time to do things that promote healthy conversations that promote kids doing things."

Dr. Thornton-Reid said her idea of promoting genius is not necessarily about ferrying children to an array of extracurricular activities.

"Genius begins with the kids curiosity being raised," she said. "I don't think it is about going to every soccer game and ballet lesson available.

"I encourage a child's talent, but genius can be made from the everyday things of life."

She said parents should do risky things like giving their children markers and crayons.

"How can your child learn to draw if you never give him or her a marker?" she said.

And she pointed out that some early intelligence tests judge your child's development on their ability to draw a person.

During the workshop she planned to talk about other little things that encourage children to learn and grow.

"My notion is like the old quote, 'Genius about one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration'," she said.

"With the proper opportunities we can prepare kids to be what the world looks at as 'genius'.

"I believe anyone can be made a genius."

She said there is an achievement gap in test scores worldwide, particularly for children from minority backgrounds.

"I believe it is a class issue," said Dr. Thornton-Reid. "I look at it as an opportunity issue."

She said that in order for a child to succeed they need to receive encouragement and support from not only their parents but also their teachers and communities.

Dr. Thornton-Reid believes that genius begins in the womb.

"It is about hearing the mother's voice and the cadence of language," she said. "It is about reading books aloud while you are carrying your child.

"I will be talking about the importance of interacting and giving kids good quality time."

Dr. Thornton-Reid said that if the working parent can't meet the quality time needs of the child then they need to look to the greater community.

"There is the notion of Congo babysitting," she said. "It takes a village.

"Look at the community as a whole and see who can provide those opportunities for your children."

She said it is also important to understand genius.

"Genius for a five-year-old is not the same as for a ten-year-old."

Dr. Thornton-Reid is the assistant professor and executive director for the Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative at Georgia State University. She is also on loan to Clemson University in South Carolina.

She is proud that she is the only African American Reading Recovery trainer in the world, but also concerned.

"Reading Recovery has been in the world for about thirty years," she said. "I am the third person of African American descent to be trained and the only trainer that is African American in the world. The other two people went on to do different things.

"I'd like to see more folks become trainers. Darnell Wynn in Bermuda is a Reading Recovery teacher leader and works in the school system. She does manage the implementation of Reading Recovery on the Island. Then she is affiliated with our regional organisation."

Dr. Thornton-Reid is currently working on a second book that will be about encouraging genius in older children.

She is very active in her community and is a board member of the Building Towards Wellness Community Coalition, Inc., a member of the Greater Columbus Negro Business and Professional Women's Club and volunteers occasionally at the Liberty Theatre in Columbus, Georgia and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.

She has also served as a member of the Columbus Consolidated Government Community Development Advisory Council and was awarded a commendation for her service by City Council.

Her son, Sean Clinkscales, is an aspiring film producer and accomplished graphic designer, Dr. Thornton-Reid served as executive producer for his full length feature film production entitled Eidetic.

The workshop in Bermuda will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on September 6. Admission is free. There will be a continental breakfast included. For more information telephone 523-BEPA or 532-2372.